Boeing ends Globemaster production at Long Beach facility

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Boeing officially ended production of the C-17 Globemaster III at its Long Beach facility with plans to deliver the last aircraft to the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

The facility's final aircraft will be held in Boeing's San Antonio location until it is delivered to Qatar in early 2016. While the facility in Long Beach, California will no longer be used to produce the planes, the company says it will continue Globemaster III support, maintenance, and upgrades to fleets worldwide.

"This is truly the end of an era," C-17 vice president and program manager Nan Bouchard said. "It's a sad day, but one that all of the Boeing employees and suppliers who have worked over the years building this great aircraft can be proud of."

Boeing announced the end of its C-17 program in 2013. C-17 fleets have amassed over three million combined flying hours since the first Globemaster took fight in September 1991.

"Our team's work and dedication and professionalism created one of the world's leading airlifters, a plane that is at the forefront for providing humanitarian aid and has changed the way the U.S. Air Force and our international partners mobilize for operations and aeromedical support," Bouchard added.

The C-17 Globemaster III is a cargo, precision airdrop, and humanitarian supply aircraft. During combat operations, the airlifter is used for the rapid delivery and transit of troops to operating or forward bases in deployment areas.